Principal Optical Engineer

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement rigorous standards for optical engineering, ensuring design integrity through detailed modeling and analysis. You will collaborate closely with physicists and subject matter experts to architect the optical assemblies and modules essential for our next-generation neutral atom quantum computers.

This position reports directly to the VP of Optical Engineering and requires on-site work at our Boulder, CO facility four to five days per week.

Job Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead the design and specification of complex, next-generation optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
• Collaborate with technical leaders across engineering domains to understand key product use cases to inform next generation hardware development lifecycle
• Work with physicists and subject matter experts to develop requirements and system architecture for optical assemblies, subsystems, and modules to support next generation neutral atom computers
• Establish and enforce best practices for optical design, performing critical design reviews, detailed tolerance analysis, and advanced stray light modeling to ensure suitability of design solutions
• Define and standardize precision alignment procedures for all optical designs and subsystems, ensuring robust and repeatable assembly
• Provide high-level leadership and oversight for hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
• Mentor junior team members and generate internal training documents and procedures
• Contribute as a subject matter expert to technical writing, grant proposals, and presentations
• Generate new intellectual property and inventions
• Develop complex optical components and devices with external vendors including managing the design process and defining deliverables
• External speaking and/or customer engagements
• Troubleshoot technical issues at Atom and off-site customer facilities
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds

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